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Plan Commission approves 10-unit Family Promise housing at 600 Maple Avenue with PUD overlay
Summary
The Plan Commission unanimously approved rezoning and final site plan for a 10-unit Family Promise facility at 600 Maple Avenue, granting PUD exceptions for lot-area and parking while requiring supplemental design elements and staff conditions.
The Waukesha Plan Commission on Wednesday approved a planned unit development (PUD) rezoning and final site plan for a 10-unit apartment building at 600 Maple Avenue to be operated by Family Promise as temporary housing for families experiencing homelessness.
Charlie (staff) said the project proposes to replace a vacant former church with a two-story building containing 10 units (unit mix: two 1-bedroom, five 2-bedroom, three 3-bedroom) and shared community space. Because the lot is 26,340 square feet and the zoning code’s lot-area formula would require roughly 30,500 square feet for that unit mix, the applicant requested an RM3 PUD overlay and several exceptions. "Staff recommends approval of the PUD rezoning ... and final site plan and architectural review for Family Promise at 600 Maple Avenue with conditions," Charlie said.
Staff and commissioners discussed three key exceptions: a one-space parking shortfall (the site shows 18 parking spaces versus the code’s 19), a minor lighting spillover that exceeds the code maximum by about 0.2 foot-candle at one pole, and the lot-area requirement. Staff argued the site’s walkable location and proximity to transit make 18 spaces sufficient and recommended supplemental design elements such as additional landscaping along Maple Avenue.
Joe Nisenm, Executive Director for Family Promise, said the facility will not have 24/7 paid staff; daytime case managers and volunteers would support residents, and volunteers might live onsite in an AmeriCorps-type arrangement. Brian Gribel (BJS) said the team has discussed potential cross-access agreements with a neighboring facility should parking become constrained.
Commissioners also noted the building height was reduced from 45 feet to about 40 feet between the preliminary and final submittals. After discussion, a motion to approve the rezoning and the final site plan (including the parking exemption and lighting spillover as part of the PUD) was made, seconded and carried unanimously.
Next steps: the applicant will address the staff conditions identified in the approval and must meet any building-permit requirements before construction begins.
